Tina Peters says there is a growing interest in rural Alberta land for data center developments
Renewable energy projects are helping drive a new wave of real estate activity in Alberta, according to Tina Peters, the newest partner in Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s real estate group.
Peters, who specializes in commercial real estate and is called to the bar in Alberta and British Columbia, says a softening regulatory environment has reignited momentum for renewable energy developments on agricultural lands.
“Over the past few years, these have slowed down… and now we see these picking back up again with renewed interest.”
Peters explains that over the past year, there has been a noticeable uptick in projects moving forward, mainly because regulations now allow developers to establish renewable energy projects on agricultural land if they can demonstrate continued agricultural use.
While Alberta remains focused on protecting prime farmland, she says that the province’s approach has evolved to better balance preservation goals with the need for sustainable energy development.
“Now that there's a little bit of a relaxation in the regulations… we've seen increased interest and activity in that area over the last year.”
Another trend Peters has observed is the growing interest in rural Alberta land for data center developments. With abundant space and lower prices compared to other jurisdictions, Alberta has attracted significant attention from companies seeking large land parcels for these infrastructure-heavy projects.
Peters says real estate lawyers are increasingly engaged on the side of purchasers or lessees, negotiating acquisitions and leases for data center developers. However, she adds that the process is somewhat complicated by Alberta’s Foreign Ownership of Land Regulations (FOLR).
Peters notes that regulators have taken a more conservative view of the statutory exemptions that allow foreign entities to acquire rural land in recent years.
As a result, she says investors are facing more significant uncertainty in securing land for data centers and other major projects.
She adds that the stricter interpretation has made it more difficult for foreign-controlled corporations to rely on exemptions that were previously available, creating hurdles for future investment.
“That's one of the big issues facing our clients right now that we're helping them navigate because there's a lot of uncertainty in that area right now.”
Peters says her decision to join Blakes was a forward-looking move aimed at expanding her practice through the firm’s national platform and depth of expertise.
Another key factor in her decision was the firm’s support for women in leadership roles. Peters says the firm made a deliberate effort to introduce her to women leaders during her decision-making process, and she felt “welcomed and valued.”
She adds that while she had positive experiences at her previous firms, Blakes stood out for its emphasis on inclusion and leadership development.
Despite concerns about economic uncertainty, Peters remains optimistic about Canada's real estate sector's trajectory. She describes the national market as “more balanced,” with steady movement across office, industrial, retail, and mixed-use development sectors.
While the rapid post-pandemic growth has moderated and immigration has slowed slightly, Peters says that fundamental demand drivers remain strong. She says that housing demand continues to outstrip supply in many markets, fueling demand for retail and community services.
Urban planning trends are also evolving, with new communities increasingly designed to offer walkable access to shops and services rather than relying solely on centralized “big-box shopping hubs.”
Overall, she says the outlook for Calgary and Canada’s real estate sector remains strong, with sustained development expected “at least over the next few years.”
